County foundations invest in their communities – Ottumwa Courier: Local News
In Wapello County, more than $100,000 has been granted to various entities thanks to partnership.
Recently, a snapshot of the 2013-2014 County Endowment fund program and grants made possible by Casino nonprofit organizations was released in an annual report by the Iowa Council of Foundations and the Iowa Gaming Association.
Now in its ninth year, the County Endowment Fund program was created by an initiative of the Iowa legislature to utilize a percentage of Iowa’s commercial casinos’ gaming tax revenues.
The annual report highlights the grants made by 85 counties community foundations that participate in the County Endowment Fund program.
During the past year, grant funds within the county were awarded to five different entities. Those entities included: Cardinal Community School District, $12,000 for a security warning system; Eddyville Parks and Recreation, $13,800 for its town park which included new sidewalks, benches and grills; Ottumwa Community School District, $22,139 for its vocal and swimming programs; Ottumwa Parks and Recreation, $30,000 for playground equipment; and $25,000 to the Wapello County Historical Society for a new roof.
In neighboring Monroe County, $97,000 was awarded to various entities, the largest grant of $20,000 to the Monroe County Little League for the purchase and installation of a new softball park. Other larger grants of $10,000 and $9,000 were awarded to Monroe County Conservation Board for expanding its existing target range and the Monroe County Historical Society to move a historic oil station to its properties, respectively.
Davis County Community Foundation saw its largest grant of $50,000 given to the Davis County for the community’s bike and walking trails. Other large grants were made to the City of Bloomfield for $10,000 for its Downtown Master Plan phase 4 and the David County Community School District for $6,000 for the purchase of playground equipment as well as the Pulaski Volunteer Fire Association for $6,000 to purchase youth football equipment for the Davis County Youth program.
Twenty-six entities in Jefferson County were awarded grants from the Jefferson County Fund.
